Rock The Shores 2016: Who To See

Of course we are are stoked to see huge headlining acts like Metric, City and Colour, Arkells, The Eagles of Death Metal, and The Cat Empire at Rock The Shores this year, but who do we think is worth lathering on sunscreen early for? Well, Rocktographers here with the SPF70 and this year’s who to see list.

Friday, 22nd (The 7 Mile Social)

Team Rocktogs thinks you should just see every band on this day. Everyone who is playing are fantastic local bands who have worked very hard to get to where they are now and deserve the biggest crowds of the festival. Plus tickets on this day are $25. You can’t see them individually for that cheap.

Stinging Belle
1:35PM

Photo by Lindsey Blane
Photo by Lindsey Blane

Is it worth it to take a half day and get to Rock the Shores to see the very first band, on the very first day? The simple answer is – F*ck yes. Stinging Belle are the new kids on the block in Victoria. Rock The Shores is their 7th show ever (One of their first was the Rocktographers Showcase back in January), and you know when they’re booking things like this already they have something special! This sultry three piece will be kicking off the entire Rock The Shores festival so make sure to get down to the front to get sweaty rocking out to these guys (and gal) right off the bat.

Towers and Trees
4:25PM

There isn’t much we can say about our friends. Towers and Trees that we haven’t said already. They are one of the hardest working bands we’ve had the privilege of working with. They make the music they love and it shows. Rock The Shores promises to be the biggest show Towers and Trees has ever played both figuratively and literally. Make sure you get down there early to show your love and support to this band they certainly deserve it.

Band of Rascals
5:30PM

Band of Rascals are quickly becoming one of the hardest working bands in town. Between playing at this year’s Tall Tree festival, a secret show with the likes of Hollarado, and from Courtenay all the way down to Colwood in a day with Tour De Shores it seems there’s no stoping them. Their show is full of energy, foot stomping tunes, and piggy back rides.

Jon and Roy
6:40PM

If there is any band that most represents the vibes of Vancouver Island it is Jon and Roy. The duo will be making their first appearance at Rock The Shores despite being a staple staple of the music scene for the better part of the last decade. We can’t wait to have them serenade us in the golden sunlight on Friday with their special and unique brand of Island folk.

Jesse Roper
8:00PM

The shining star of Metchosin, Jesse Roper is one of those talents which seems one micrometer from superstardom. The Roper Show melted plenty of faces at the last two year’s RTS, and he’s back again to undoubtedly show off his guitar magic and incredible stage presence.

Current Swell
9:30PM

In 2012 Current Swell was one of the opening bands during the first Rock The Shores, and now they are one of the headliners. Current Swell is a tried and true band that has put their dues in with many years of hitting the road on huge tours, but always coming home to Victoria. It only makes sense that this band would close out another great first day at Rock The Shores.

There is also a bonus Webmeister Bud in the video above. Try to find him. 

Saturday July 23rd

Royal Tusk
3:00PM

Edmonton’s Royal Tusk is a hard-hitting guitar driven rock band with pop sensibilities. Maybe that’s because a few members of Royal Tusk used be in Juno nominated emo pop band, Ten Second Epic. If their live performances are anything like they used to be this is going to be one explosive set you won’t want to miss.  Maybe we will get to see Ian Thornley (Big Wreck) hit the stage early to shred his solo from the Royal Tusk song, So Long The Build Up.

Dear Rouge
4:25PM

Daniel and Drew McTaggart are the power couple that took top prize in the 2012 Peak Performance project and in four short years turned Dear Rouge into a Juno award winning tour de force. Having seen Dear Rouge multiple times we’re not surprised. Expect high energy, hair flips, and amazing showmanship.

Big Wreck
5:30PM

In the late 90’s you couldn’t escape That Song. After the success of their first two albums Big Wreck faded away leaving many wondering if the band would ever return. Over the last few years the band has reformed, toured consistently, and released new material. This will be one of the bands your cool dad is most excited to see at Rock The Shores this year.

The New Pornographers
6:40PM

Vancouver’s The New Pornographers are still riding high on the success of their album Brill Bruisers released in late 2014. The indie rock supergroup boasts an impressive amount of star power with A.C. Newman, Neko Case, Dan Bejar (Destroyer), and Kathryn Calder among some of it’s members. This band could have easily fit in on Friday’s 7 Mile Social with the amount of local connections they have.

Sunday, July 24th

The Motorleague
1:30PM

This hard hitting East Coast foursome will be kicking off the final day of Rock The Shores with the opening slot. The Motorleague is a straight-up rock band. Plain and simple, and that’s what Victoria wants at Rock The Shores. Get there early for a raw and powerful set that will certainly be one of the heavier sets of the weekend.

The Standstills
2:30PM

What can we say about this amazing piece? We’ll answer that with a question of our own: how can so much music, so much dynamic sound and musical artistry come from just a solitary electric guitar, a drum kit and one voice? It’s a mystery, but it’s also a reality as the remarkably potent and powerful Oshawa rock duo The Standstills proves song after song, show after show.

Yukon Blonde
3:15PM

Vancouver-based indie rock vets Yukon Blonde return to Victoria for their first appearance since last November’s performance with Hey Rosetta! at the McPherson Playhouse, as part of the two bands’ joint North American tour. Since then the group has continued to keep busy with a headlining coast-to-coast Canadian tour in February and March that saw them play a grueling 21 dates in just 30 days. Featuring the newly evolved, 80s-synth-infused sound they introduced on their latest album On Blonde, their Sunday afternoon set at RTS promises to be a first-rate dance party.

July Talk
4:20PM

Toronto alternative outfit July Talk bring their bluesy brand of garage rock to the RTS stage on Sunday afternoon. Featuring a unique arrangement that blends co-lead singers Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay’s widely contrasting vocal styles, July Talk will showcase several new tunes from their upcoming album Touch, which is set for a September release date. The band’s RTS appearance will be just their second performance on a massive North American and European tour that includes stops in more than 40 cities between July and December.

BONUS: Get ready for Rock the Shores with Rocktographers special edition mix tape. Featuring a blend of deep cuts, fan favourites, and radio hits sure to make the days fly by!